2015 Skoda Fabia to feature three- and four-cylinder petrol, diesel engines

For petrol buyers, the new Fabia range will kick off with a 44kW 1.0-litre three-cylinder direct injection engine. Until an RS model rears its head, the petrol lineup will be spearheaded by a 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbo sporting 81kW of power.

On the turbo-diesel side of the ledger, the third-generation Fabia will be equipped with a three-cylinder 1.4-litre motor (above). This aluminium block engine will be available in three different states of tune, with power outputs ranging from 55kW through to 77kW.

As with recent Volkswagen group vehicles, buyers will be able to choose between either a manual transmission or a automated dual-clutch gearbox (DSG).

Skoda claims that, when adjusted for equipment levels, the new Fabia will be around 65kg lighter than the current model, with the base 1.0-litre three-cylinder tipping the scales at 980kg.

Late in 2015 Skoda will launch a GreenLine version of the Fabia. Equipped with the 55kW version of the 1.4-litre turbo-diesel, automatic engine start/stop, enhanced aerodynamics, low rolling resistance tyres and kinetic energy recuperation system, the Fabia GreenLine will drink just 3.1L/100km and emit 82g/km of CO2 under the EU testing cycle.

Given previous sales volumes and Australian drivetrain preferences, it's likely that only the petrol engines will make the journey down under.

Based on Volkswagen's flexible MQB architecture, the new Skoda Fabia is set to debut at this year's Paris auto show before entering Australian showrooms during the second half of 2015. So far, we've seen the new Fabia under both heavy and light camouflage, as well as in sketch form.